John Marshall High School Alumni Association Newsletter 3939 Tracy Street, Los Angeles, California 90027 Spring/Summer 2012 Introducing Our 2012 Distinguished Alumnus: John Paul DeJoria W'62 John Paul DeJoria, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer John Paul Mitchell Systems JMHS John Paul DeJoria's rags-to-riches biogra- phy exemplifies the American dream - he is a President’s Message... first-generation American turned entrepreneur, My Dear Fellow Alumni, philanthropist, government servant, and pillar of the business community. He has I want you to know just how much struggled against the odds not only to achieve you are appreciated by John Marshall success, but to share this success with High School students and staff, and by others. He knows firsthand what it's like the Alumni Association. When we in- to be the 'underdog,' and strives to help as formed you in our last newsletter that, many as possible overcome their challenges due to budget cuts, there might not be and achieve their full potential. Because he has shared his success with a yearbook this year, your immediate those less fortunate, he is a role model for current and future students of John response with donations was very gen- Marshall High School. erous. In the meantime, a new teacher He was born in Echo Park, one of two children of immigrant parents (his has volunteered his time after school to father came from Italy and his mother's family came from Greece). His mother assist seniors, who will not get aca- raised him as a single parent before John Paul reached the age of two. demic credit for it, but have also volun- John Paul started out selling greeting cards at age 9 and delivering news- teered their time after school. The papers in order to help support his family. DeJoria spent much of his youth money that has been collected from in a street gang in East Los Angeles, but changed when he was told that he your donations earmarked for the year- and his friend Michelle Gilliam Phillips would "never succeed at anything in book will ensure that the yearbook will life" by their teacher, Mr. Wachs, at John Marshall High School. be completed. Because of you, there He graduated in 1962 and spent two years in the United States Navy, after will be a 2012 yearbook. which he floated through a series of jobs ranging from janitor to insurance We would like to acknowledge you on a salesman. special donor page in the yearbook. After high school and service with honors in the U.S. Navy, John Paul did We are already starting our campaign whatever it took to make ends meet - he sold encyclopedias, photocopying to raise money for the 2013 yearbook. machines, dictating equipment, and insurance; he also worked as a janitor, According to Principal Harrison, next pumped gasoline, drove a tow truck, and repaired bicycles. John Paul was year we will need $15,000 to make sure even homeless at one time. Even then, he didn't give up and collected bottles that they will have a year book class to stay afloat. where the students will get academic Eventually, John Paul got an entry-level marketing position with Time maga- credit. Your continuing generosity is zine. Within a short period of time, he was promoted to Los Angeles Circulation greatly appreciated. Manager. He then moved to his first position in the hair care industry. Within As always, the Alumni Association eighteen months, he received a promotion to National Manager of Schools and depends on the generosity of our Chain Salons. John Paul left this position and served at the National Manager alumni in our mission to help the and Vice President level for several hair care and cosmetic companies before school. becoming an independent consultant. He joined his marketing expertise with the hairdressing talents of his friend Paul Mitchell to launch their now-famous Ynez Herrera Reinschmidt professional hair care system. Class of Summer 1959 John Paul DeJoria and Paul Mitchell had a vision - to found a company for hairdressers - one that would provide tools of success for hair care professionals, continued on page 7... 1 Save The Date! John Marshall High School 8th Annual "Endless Summer" Alumni Association, Inc. JMHS Alumni Picnic Board Meetings & Important Dates in 2012 All Board meetings are held on the first Tuesday of the month Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 6:30pm in room 504 unless otherwise noted. 9am to 5pm Tuesday, May 1 Board Meeting Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum *Tuesday, June 5 Board Meeting TBA 5202 Zoo Drive Los Angeles, CA 90027 Senior Awards Night in the Auditorium at 6:pm *Friday, June 15 1st Marshall Athletic NO ALCOHOL - STRICTLY ENFORCED Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony 6:30pm • Auditorium Don’t miss the 2012 “Endless Summer” Picnic! It is FREE *Monday, June 18 Graduation at the and open to all Barristers (and their families) of any year! Greek Theater and Distinguished Alumni Luncheon Get the latest information on the picnic from the JMHS Alumni *Saturday, June 23 Endless Summer Assn. or to just re-connect with Picnic at Live Steamers in Griffith Park other JMHS grads, you can join the JMHS Senior Court Yahoo site July Board Meeting TBA by emailing Joe Buford at Tuesday, August 7 Board Meeting [email protected], or go off campus to http://groups.yahoo.com/ Tuesday, September 4 Board Meeting group/JMHS_Senior_Court/ and click “Join this Group!” Please *Saturday, September 22 Alumni Fashion Show include your name at graduation and year you graduated. The Tuesday, October 2 Board Meeting JMHS Senior Court is only open to JMHS grads and friends. Tuesday, November 6 Board Meeting No anonymous members are allowed. We are also on Tuesday, December 4 Board Meeting Facebook. Search for “John Marshall High Los Angeles Official off campus Alumni Association.” *Tuesday, January 8, 2013 Annual General Remember: No Alcohol is permitted at Live Steamers! Meeting/Board Meeting If you would like a special “Johnny Barrister” namet tag, please contact Joe Buford at [email protected], or Stephanie (*indicates special event or date change) Corrales at [email protected] All dates subject to change: please contact the Alumni Stephanie will be coordinating the potluck. No one is required Association by e-mail at [email protected] or to bring anything, but if you do, please contact Stephanie. call (323) 953-6542 to confirm location. Hope to see you there! CollegePath LA CollegePath LA (CPLA) has helped over 100 Marshall students help with college exploration and applications over the last two years. As we expand our program, we would like to partner with alumni to provide even more services. Here are ways you can get involved: 1. SAT Preparation Classes: Despite strong grades, many of our Marshall students do not score well on the SATs and this limits their college options. We know that familiarization with the testing format can help significantly. We are raising money to offer professional test prepara- tion classes. Our goal is to provide classes to 60 students for a cost of $7,000. This will include 22 hours of instruction, and three simulated tests. We have received a matching grant from the Mitzvah Fund for $3,500, and we are hoping you will match this fund dollar for dollar. Please support the SAT Prep Class with a donation. Checks should be made payable to the JMHS Alumni Association, with CPLA in the memo section. No amount is too small. 2. Career Exploration: It is clear that motivation is key to keeping students engaged in school and a dream career often creates this motivation. In September, College Counselor Tricia Bryan organizes a College and Career Fair in conjunction with back-to-school night (date TBA). We would like to expand this fair. If you are interested in participating, please email Tricia Bryan at [email protected]. Thank you in advance for supporting these important efforts. Please feel free to contact us for any reason. Susan Philips and Lori Zimmerman [email protected], [email protected] 2 The John Marshall High School Alumni Association And Macy's Pasadena On Lake Present An Alumni Fashion Show We invite you to preview the new Fall fashion trends with an exclusive wardrobe event. Saturday, September 22, 2012 at 2:00p.m. Macy's Pasadena, 401 South Lake Avenue, Pasadena 91101 Find out how to get the most from your existing wardrobe while adding new pieces that help you stay on budget and look great! Ensembles will be modeled by Alumni Association women and men in all size ranges. Join us immediately following the fashion presentation for a Shopping Party. Stylists will be on hand to help you find the perfect outfit. There will even be a special gift waiting for you with a purchase of $100 or more. Tickets are $20 per person. Please make checks payable to the John Marshall High Alumni Association and write Fashion Show in the memo section. Please include your year of graduation (and of guests if known). Send to JMHS Alumni Assn, PO Box 39847, Los Angeles, CA 90039. Tickets will be held at the door. You may pay online using PayPal if you have an account. Go to www.paypal.com and send your payment to [email protected] with a note in the comment box that the payment is for the Fashion Show. Barrister Keepsakes Still Available!! If you haven’t ordered your JMHS Barrister goodies, they are still available! The Johnny Barrister Keepsake Ornament is the second ornament in the series, the first being the 80th Anniversary Ornament.